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McCarthy Says Hawk Is Mad Because He Was Supposed To Play Sunday

Head coach Mike McCarthy said in his Monday press conference that linebacker A.J. Hawk is irritated that he was supposed to play in Sunday's game against Raiders but in the blowout win, the coach decided not to play him.

"He's mad at me, but he should be," said McCarthy. "That's okay, and I understand it."

McCarthy said Hawk was supposed to play in the second half of yesterday's game.

"With the score 31-0 at halftime, I didn't think that was in our best interest," said McCarthy. "He really wanted to play in the game and I respect that, but it was best to give him another three or four days."

The three or four days McCarthy mentioned is in reference to the next time the Packers practice. They begin preparations for their upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday. McCarthy said Hawk is ready and will be able to practice at that time.

Hawk was active for yesterday's game spending the entire game suited up on the sidelines. He was one of only two players on the team's 46-man active roster not to play joining offensive lineman Ray Dominguez.

The veteran inside linebacker was supposed to be on a "pitch count" limited to less than 30 snaps if he did play, according to McCarthy.

For the second week in a row, neither Hawk nor Desmond Bishop started. Both continue to nurse calf injuries sustained during the Thanksgiving game against Detroit.

Hawk came into the Raiders game second on the team with 75 tackles for the season.

D.J. Smith and Robert Francois started in place of Hawk and Bishop and both received game balls for their efforts on Sunday, in which they combined to account for three turnovers.

Mr. Hawk should shut up and play when the coach calls on him to play. I agree with what NewPackerOwner said, Hawk is seeing other guys make plays that he can't make; he's nervous. He should appreciate the fact that his coach was more concerned about what is best for the long-term health of the Green Bay Packers AND for Mr. Hawk.

Nice! I do like the way AJ seems to settle and steady the defense, but maybe watching his replacement do something twice in a couple of games (intercept a pass) that he has yet to do in more than 10 will help. Reminds me of when he was benched last time and came back a little more lively. Maybe he should rest one more week and think about it.

Competitive players want to compete. Period. It's why Bishop indicated he was ready to go on Twitter about a week ago and coaches clearly thought he was at least a week or two away from starting to practice.

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